Right in the middle of Paul talking about who he was and how God poured out His mercy and forgiveness on Him - he makes this statement about God. Seems out place from one perspective, but the more I think about the entire context, it is not out of place at all.

Maybe it seems out of place initially to me because of my theological training and hearing teachers dissect this verse, write doctrine around this verse, and present it in a complex academic way. I have heard entire sermons on this one verse...a 45 minute sermon on a statement that takes less than 7 seconds to read!

I think we have over-complicated a very very simple but absolutely awesome truth.

When I REALLY take time to ponder who I was before Christ ... dead, destined for hell, no hope, dark, selfish, etc. And then bring into that how God's mercy and forgiveness was poured out on me and God did not hold my past against me but still called me to be on His team. The more I REALLY chew on that, the more I don't understand it. Why would God do that? Sure...He is a loving, forgiving, merciful, grace-showering God - but it still just doesn't make sense. He doesn't need me. He is God! He needs nothing.

But yet, He changed me. And even though theologians have answered that with their big words - I still don't fully understand the why or how. BUT God changed me from "before" to "now".

And the more I let that sink in - and not really try to understand the whys or hows - but just let the reality sink in ... I am drawn to worship. It's like my only response is ... "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

This is no theological statement to be dissected, diagramed, academieized (is that a word!?). It is a response. It is a natural response. Paul was so overwhelmed by the truth of who he was and what God did and was doing in his life that he was just drawn to worship.

What if we stopped trying to dissect this? What if I just basked in the simple but overwhelming and awesome truth of God's forgiveness and mercy and just worshipped Him?

Today is Saturday. Chewing on this is going to pumped me up even more for church tomorrow.

1 Timothy 1:17